Student achievement big issue in Winton Woods school board race

Nuss

The Winton Woods School District, spread across the communities of Greenhills, Forest Park and Springfield Township, has five candidates running for three seats on the board of education. Board members are paid $125 per meeting for 24 meetings, or $3,000 annually.

Tim Cleary

Cleary owns his own company, is a Colerain High School graduate who attended the University of Cincinnati and received his MBA from Northern Kentucky University. His three children graduated from Winton Woods High School. He's been a member of the Winton Woods Board of Education since 2004.

How can the district meet its budget challenges?

Cleary says he's committed to staying in the district's budget while looking for ways to reduce expenses and secure non-tax revenue. He wants to extend the current operational levy to at least 2018 while working to increase the district's student base to secure additional funding outside of the community with a goal of $1 million in revenue.

Talk about student achievement.

He says there is a committee looking at student achievement.

"While the district's results on the state's most recent Local Report Card are abysmal, there is evidence that we are moving in the right direction," he said. "If the old report card system was still in place, (we) would have likely been rated as effective," not academic watch."

What are your goals if elected?

If elected, he says he will continue to support the strategic, transformational plan of action being implemented by Superintendent Anthony Smith and will work to create opportunities for interaction with all stakeholders through focus groups and community forums.

Cindy Emmert

Emmert has served on the board of education for 15 years. A greenhouse and garden center manager, she says she's running for re-election because she enjoys the work, enjoys the students and believes she brings experience, a knowledge of history and a sense of calm to the board. Married with a daughter who teaches in a nearby district, she is a graduate of Greenhills High School and Ohio State University. She has served as the board representative to the Great Oaks board for 13 years.

How can the district meet its budget challenges?

She says she would make sure that the financial resources of the district are being used to their maximum potential for student learning. Emmert said the board has cut $3.3 million and extended the levy out to at least 2016.

Talk about student performance.

She says every student can achieve to their highest abilities with the right tools, teachers, and support. "Students with disabilities in the district performed well on the recent report card," she said. "We might want to look at what we're doing there and apply it to other student groups."

What are your goals if elected?

She says if elected, her priorities would continue to focus on student success.

"All students can succeed," she said. "It's our job to find out how and help them." She says she is open to frank conversations about the district and views communication as a two-way street.

Viola Johnson

Johnson says she and her husband have lived in the district since 1986. They have three sons who have graduated from Winton Woods Schools and a son who is a junior at Winton Woods High School. She has a bachelor's degree, a master's degree and a doctorate degree in education and teaches at Cincinnati State Technical and Community College.

How can the district meet its budget challenges?

Financial sustainability is important, to her as well. Making sure that money is going where it should be is important, Johnson said. She says that the district needs to be sure it is employing the most effective strategies to support student-centered learning.

Talk about student performance.

"In working with students in general - I teach at a college - I know what it is when a student come in and is under prepared. I want to set up policies that will help with the transitions into college and make these students are ready." She said it's important to pursue community partnerships to support services such as tutoring, after-school care programs and learning centers.

What are your goals if elected?

She says she wants to help create an atmosphere that meets the learning needs of the students and challenges and empowers the students to pursue their highest level of academic excellence. I would do my best to revitalize, rebuild and restore the district. This is my home, my neighbors and my family."

Jessica Miranda

Miranda has owned and operated a local insurance and tax service agency in Forest Park for three years. She is a licensed property and casualty insurance broker. She has eight years of experience in financial services. She is also secretary of the Latino Coalition of Southwest Ohio and says she volunteers with local organizations focused on education and community outreach. Miranda has two children who attend Winton Woods schools. A part of the community for more than 20 years, she says she is deeply involved at her daughter's school and serves as vice president of the PTA.

How can the district meet its budget challenges?

Miranda said the district needs to look at its administrative costs and request the completion of a financial audit to determine the appropriate budget assessment. She says funds should directed back into the classroom. Our district must create a balance for a district our size.

Talk about student performance

She says it is important that the district perform better for its students.

"It is imperative. We must put candidates on the board that are going to lead our district to progress and who are going work side by side with our new superintendent to get accountability for the students, the staff and the parents for improving this district."

What are your goals if elected?

Her top priorities are raising expectations to improve student achievement, increasing community engagement and balancing the district's fiscal responsibilities and direct funds towards the classroom.

Chelsea Nuss

She has worked as a substitute teacher in Cincinnati Public Schools and the Princeton City School District since 2009 and also was an IEP teacher for math and reading in grades four and six for CPS. She is a program manager and cubmaster for the Boy Scouts of America and is founder and executive director for Docere4Parents. She is an English instructor for the Eye Level Learning Center and also works as a financial analyst. Nuss received her bachelor's degree from Miami University and is working on an executive certificate in business administration online with the University of Notre Dame.

She has also been an assistant Project Success Plus teacher for Winton Woods and is recording secretary for the Winton Woods PTA.

How can the district meet its budget challenges?

She says budget analysis requires accountability, foresight, and an intimate understanding of short and long-term consequences of our system.

"I will focus on programs requiring the most serious attention," she said. "If the vision for our children is to create global learners then every issue concerning the budget needs to be in alignment with our mission."

Talk about student performance.

She says accountability is one primary mark of high-performing schools. Establishing and monitoring a solid structure for educators and administrators to be held accountable for student performance and business functions must occur in order to meet high levels of academic excellence.

What are your goals if elected?

She says she will strongly support and analyze curriculum development and implementation. She says providing top quality instruction to all students is paramount. She is a proponent of accountability, expectations and standards and consistency.

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Student achievement big issue in Winton Woods school board race

The Winton Woods School District, spread across the communities of Greenhills, Forest Park and Springfield Township, has five candidates running for three seats on the board of education.